I think I can guess what the tube is for. No lady crew member then?
you are so right
The cockpit is starting to look suitably cluttered. The flash has made the brown wash look stronger than it is, this will be wiped off and I will give it all a light dry brush to highlight the detail on the ip.
My work bench is starting to look like Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
Cheers For the feedback I'm pleased how the cockpit has turned out, I have now added seats in the rear cabin so the seat backs show through the windows.
The fuselarge is joined up so we should start to see some progress with the build.
My work bench is starting to look like Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
The Westland Seaking was originally a Sikorsky design that first flew in 1959. Westland's obtained the production licence in the early 1960's to replace the Westland Whirlwind in the ASW role. This must have been a good move as it was so successful that it is still in service today.
My first personal flying experience with the Seaking was in 1995 with the HS1 operated by 819 squadron at HMS Gannet (RNAS Prestwick) this was as a SAR Aircrewman, I recall thinking how big the Seaking was having come from flying Wasp's with their max all up weight of 5500lbs the Seaking with its max fuel load of 5500lbs seemed pretty big at the time and put things into perspective. After 819 it was back to the good old Wessex Mk5 on SAR flights and Jungly conversion.
My next encounter with the Seaking was in 1980 on 846 Squadron, when I had the privilege of being one of three Aircrewman who were the first to be converted to fly in the new HC4 Jungly Seaking. The HC4 was a giant leap from the Wessex, that only had a compass and stop watch as its navigation fit, where as the HC4 had Decca, Doppler, VOR, DME, TANS, ILS plus a moving map display.
When we first got the HC4 there was a rumour going around that the Navy only got them because Westland's had a cancelled order that was going spare and that it would have cost the Navy more to have the Nav fit taken out than it would be to leave it fitted. Anyway we didn't complain as we finished up with an a/c that had twice the capacity of a Wessex and a Nav fit that was the envy of the fleet.
My work bench is starting to look like Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
The quality of this kit is starting to show through this is the dry fit of the canopy and barn door intake as you can see no work is required for a very good fit.
I'm really enjoying this kit, so far I can totally recommend it.
My work bench is starting to look like Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
Prisca wrote:I'm really enjoying this build, Alan!
And look at that canopy. Nice and clear so you can actually see your work inside has paid off.
I'm not one for adding lots of detail under the canopy but as this is a personal subject and the canopy is so clear I felt the need to add the detail and I'm pleased that I did.
As you can see a base coat of green has been added, once this is dry I will check for any filling that might be needed, then as it's all one colour I think light post shading to break up the plain colour.
My work bench is starting to look like Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
The work in the cockpit has paid off. The close up photos shows small areas of the frames that need sorting with a wooden cocktail stick but apart from that I'm happy.
My work bench is starting to look like Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
